The Fascinating Flaws of City Flags
A TED Talk discussing flags presented by a radio host? It sounds remarkable, yet that’s precisely what transpired. Roman Mars, the individual behind the podcast 99% Invisible, leads this discussion. His goal is to spark interest in design, launching his exploration with the topic of flags. So, what makes flags so pivotal? As Mars articulates, “flags are the gateway to understanding design.”
Despite his fervor for flags, it was only after relocating to Chicago that Mars discovered the existence of municipal flags, particularly evident in a city so proud of its emblem. Like many others, he admires Chicago’s flag—who wouldn’t? It adheres to the five essential tenets of effective flag design, excelling in each aspect.
Indeed, Chicago’s flag enjoys such reverence that the city council sometimes recognizes police and fire department personnel with the city emblem instead of the U.S. flag. This highlights the affection and value citizens hold for this flag. Mars suggests that what he terms the ‘iconicness’ of the flag might contribute to the strong civic pride shared among Chicago residents, as a powerful symbol fosters a sense of community.
However, no TED Talk exploring the topic of poorly designed city flags would be complete without addressing the flags that disappoint. Unfortunately, the flag of San Francisco, which Mars didn’t notice during his eight-year residency there, falls short in design quality.
A key takeaway: if your flag bears the name of the city it represents, you’ve missed the mark. While the phoenix depicted is a strong symbol, it somehow strikes a balance between being overly simplistic and excessively intricate.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that San Francisco’s flag isn’t even the worst offender in terms of city flags. The vexillological community often criticizes the use of “seals on bedsheets,” a term describing flags that feature a state seal set against a plain colored background.
These ‘SOBs’ (seals on bedsheets) are universally loathed by vexillologists, characterized by their dullness and lack of creativity, reflecting minimal effort in design. Yet, there’s worse to discover, such as Milwaukee’s official flag which embodies these flaws further.
I thoroughly enjoyed this TED Talk. It combines entertainment with educational elements and stands out amongst TED Talks by genuinely focusing on “D” for Design (TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design). Additionally, Roman Mars’ voice has a soothing quality that makes it perfect for background listening. If you’re on the lookout for a TED Talk that invites repeated viewings, this is one you won’t want to miss.
